SPEANTEC® 2019, produced by SPE-Inspiring Plastics Professionals, is the largest, most respected and well-known technical conference in the plastics industry. It’s where classroom theory connects with real world solutions. This year, ANTEC® 2019 has been reformatted into two programs, INSPIRE and INSIGHT, to best represent the ideas and trends shaping our plastics industry. At ANTEC® 2019 INSPIRE, 550+ technical and business papers and 60&343; marketing presentations, spanning Monday thru Wednesday midday, you will be able to enjoy the traditional ANTEC® that you know and love – complete with networking and student events and exhibitor receptions. The INSPIRE agenda is now available and can be found here.

SPE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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Jan. 10

WEBINAR: How Cooling Line and Mold Design Influence Plastic Part Cost and Performance

Plastics NewsThe Donald Trump administration unexpectedly put a hold on steep 25 percent tariffs on injection molds imported from China in late December, a decision that industry observers say is likely to hurt American mold building companies but help U.S. plastics processors.READ MORE

Asian ScientistIn a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, scientists in Japan report a method to make industrial polymers sticky without the need for adhesives. Being lightweight, strong and unreactive, polymers such as plastic and rubber are useful in many aspects of modern life. However, these polymers must be treated with corrosive chemicals or adhesives to help them to attach to other materials.READ MORE

Colorado State UniversityAn infinitely recyclable polymer with the mechanical strength and thermal stability of common plastics is included in “Research of the Year” by Chemical and Engineering News. The recyclable polymer, created by Eugene Chen and colleagues in Colorado State University’s Department of Chemistry, was detailed in the journal Science in April. As described in Science, Chen’s new polymer is made from a bicyclic lactone monomer at ambient temperature. It is thermally stable and crystalline, making it a candidate for competing with commodity plastics.READ MORE

3D Printing ProgressFor the past year, Louisiana State University Biological and Agricultural Engineering senior Meagan Moore of Baton Rouge has been working to 3D print the first actual-size "human body" for radiation therapy research. While current phantoms cost $40,000, have no limbs, and don't represent every body type, “Marie” represents an entire human body that is more realistic and only costs $500 to create. Using 3D scans of five real women, Moore developed a lifelike female phantom made of bioplastic that can be filled with water to establish varying density similar to a patient.READ MORE

CompositesWorldAerospace manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. is developing a novel process for the fabrication of thermoplastic composite structures that obviates the need for traditional molds or tooling. The system is expected to have application in the aerospace, space, marine and wind energy end markets. Although it has not been formally named, the tool-less process uses two 6-axis robots working cooperatively to place thermoplastic tape into open space within a metallic or similar frame that provides the boundaries of the structure being fabricated.READ MORESPE PREMIUM CONTENT

Plastics TodayScientists at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a recipe for a partially renewable-based 3D printing raw material that could spur a profitable new use for an intractable biorefinery by-product: lignin. The discovery expands ORNL’s achievements in lowering the cost of bioproducts by creating novel uses for lignin—the material left over from the processing of biomass. Lignin gives plants rigidity and also makes biomass resistant to being broken down into useful products.READ MORE

Chemistry WorldA new method for programming intricate shape changes in liquid crystal elastomers could enable new advances in soft robotics, biomedical devices and 3D printing. Liquid crystal elastomers have a crosslinked structure made of overlapping liquid crystal polymer networks. Like elastomers, they are stretchy and malleable, and they can self-organise like the liquid crystals in flat screen television displays. They change shape in response to stimuli such as heat, UV light or electric fields, and recently, they have been in the spotlight as candidates for artificial muscles in robots.READ MORE

Medical Design & OutsourcingWhen designing a co-extruded multi-layer tube for an intravascular application, the final physical properties of the polymers used are not the only factor. For optimal extrusion, it is also important to consider the effects of the viscosity, the polymers’ melt temperatures, and their placement in the structure.READ MORE

InversePrawira’s previous experiments on creating her own bioplastics at home produced “broken rice bioplastic,” a conglomerate of broken rice starch, water, acetic acid, and other compounds. In her award-winning experiment, she attached other types of fibers to the broken rice starch to improve the strength and flexibility of the resulting plastic.READ MORE

Whether you’re looking for reinforcement or insulation, transparency or IR absorption, opacity or durability, flame retardancy or anti-blocking, our unique range of mineral fillers and additives can help you realize both cost and performance benefits.

Step-by-step, with MECO’s fully split EA Type-2 shaft seal, for large solvent extractors, pressurized conveyors, holding tanks or similar rotating equipment. For horizontal, inclined or vertical shafts. For use where an inert gas barrier in the seal is beneficial. And we can help train your maintenance staff on seal MRO.

European ScientistIn a new study published in the January 2019 edition of Bioresource Technology, scientists have demonstrated an environmentally friendly method for the offshore production of bioplastics in large quantities. The process does not require the use of precious agricultural land or freshwater resources and could pave the way for the sustainable production of bioplastics in countries like Israel, China, and India, where water is scarce and plastic pollution is a major issue.READ MORE

JJFTICWith analytical and mechanical analysis, large and small scale pilot lines, and in-house thermoforming capabilities, we are able to handle a broad range or requests. Located in Richmond, IN, The John J Farber Technology and Innovation Center is an A2LA accredited facility for mechanical testing under A2LA Certificate Number 4071.01. Please contact us via info@JJFTIC.com or by calling 765-973-0150, if we can assist you with your next development project.READ MORE

CompositesWorldThe new technology developed by Bio-on envisages using carbon dioxide as a zero cost “raw material,” in addition to those already used to produce Bio-on bioplastic: sugar beet and sugar cane molasses, fruit and potato waste, carbohydrates, glycerol and waste frying oil. Using CO2 will reportedly also help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.READ MORE

Construction Business NewsKIZAD, one of the fastest growing industrial zones in the Middle East and part of Abu Dhabi Ports, has launched KIZAD Polymers Park, which will form an integral part of the polymers conversion ecosystem in the Emirate. The Park aims to be a major economic driver for the UAE, producing 300-400 kilo tonnes of plastic products a year.READ MORE

Middle Eastern PlasticsExxonMobil will display a new grade of its ExceedTM XP performance polymers for high-performance coextrusion films when it exhibits at Arabplast 2019. Exceed XP 8784 is a polyethylene grade offering improved processability combined with extreme film toughness and sealing properties for use in laminated sacks, freezer films, barrier packaging and sachets. In addition, the company will also present its ‘Rethink Recycle’ concept using its Vistamaxx performance polymers.READ MORE